Red Alert

Supreme Court Closed?

Posted by Trevor Mallard on December 21st, 2009

Had the last weekly lunch for the year at the Backbencher today.

My guests had a table beside Minister and CEO of Justice. I thought it was polite to shift to give them space.

Wonder if they were talking about getting the pay dispute settled so William’s opening of Supreme Court goes smoothly?


11 Responses to “Supreme Court Closed?”

  1. Spud says:

    Keep us posted :-D

  2. ghostwhowalksnz says:

    How did we end up with Seven judges ? Plus some temporary members when the originals are sick. Surely for NZ size five would be adequate. And to make sure only the best make it.
    All these resources for a Court , when the Privy Council just borrowed a room in Downing St. I suppose it has its own TAB.
    $70 million , could build a decent hospital in a town like Masterton.

  3. mjwkiwi says:

    Mr ghwnz sir, there are only five judges, and a couple who fill in now and then.

    Be assured, only the best make it.

    The Privy Council borrowed a room, but we bludged off the House of Lords, who were paid for by the British taxpayer as it happens, so that was why it was cheaper for us.

    $70 million? That’s about twice the original estimate!! Now that’s something to get annoyed about.

  4. ghostwhowalksnz says:

    I checked the Wikipedia, and there have been eight appointments, one of whom has retired. The Justice Ministry web site lists 5. So wiki is wrong!!

  5. mjwkiwi says:

    Wikipedia wrong? Quelle horreur, and SUCH a surprise :)

  6. searching says:

    Read the Act…

    5 judges, 2 acting judges at present. one of whom is inwell, and unlikely to sit in the short term.

    Blame English for not funding the Ministry rather than attack the Judges

  7. The Supreme Court Act allows the appointment of up to 6 permanent judges. I believe this has briefly happened, but the current number is 6.

  8. The Supreme Court Act allows the appointment of up to 6 permanent judges. I believe this has briefly happened, but the current number is 5.

    [oops]

  9. ghostwhowalksnz says:

    The increasing use of ‘temporary’ judges seems to circumvent the retiring age. Could there be more ‘conflicts of interest’ as once Judges could only mix socially with other judges but now they seem to have relationships with barristers , business interests .

  10. Lewis Holden says:

    They always did Ghost. Only since Justice Wilson there’s been more scrutiny of there interests – particularly the CJ.

  11. ghostwhowalksnz says:

    Allways ?I thought that until recently judges went to the bench in a separate town from where they practised so as they had little contact with previous colleagues …. and enemies

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